National Business

LONDON, Ont. — The organization that oversees the St. Lawrence Seaway says general cargo shipments have surged 71 per cent so far this operating season, helping to offset a weakened grain crop. The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp.

EDMONTON — Flair Airlines plans to expand its fleet to 30 aircraft by mid-2023, more than double the current size as it strives for a 50-plane fleet within five years.

BRUSSELS (AP) — Omicron is expected to be the dominant coronavirus variant in the European Union's 27 nations by mid-January, the bloc's top official said Wednesday amid concerns that a dramatic rise in infections will leave Europe shrouded in gloom

CALGARY — Parkland Corp. says it is ramping up processing at its B.C. refinery following the restart of the Trans Mountain pipeline. Calgary-based Parkland paused processing operations at its Burnaby refinery from Nov. 22 to Dec.

OTTAWA — Canada's national annual inflation rate was 4.7 per cent in November, Statistics Canada says.

OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says manufacturing sales rose 4.3 per cent in October, helped by gains in the auto sector and primary metal industry. The agency says manufacturing sales climbed $61.2 billion in October after posting a 2.

OTTAWA — Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. says the annual pace of housing starts in November rose 26 per cent compared with October as starts of apartments, condos and other types of multiple-unit housing projects climbed higher.

NEW YORK (AP) — Americans slowed their spending in November from October, but continued shopping despite higher prices and shortages in stores. Retail sales rose a modest seasonally adjusted 0.

OTTAWA — Canada's national annual inflation rate was 4.7 per cent in November, Statistics Canada says. Here's what happened in the provinces (previous month in brackets): _ Newfoundland and Labrador: 4.2 per cent (4.5) _ Prince Edward Island: 7.

SMITHS FALLS, ONT. — Canopy Growth Corp. says it has signed a deal to sell its C3 Cannabinoid Compound Company GmbH subsidiary to German company Dermapharm Holding SE. Under the agreement, Canopy will receive an upfront payment of $115.5 million.